Could it be final act for Southborough players?

Wednesday

After nearly 40 years and more than 70 shows, the Southborough Players could be shutting down, possibly for good.

After nearly 40 years and more than 70 shows, the Southborough Players could be shutting down, possibly for good.

"We have not gone dark since beginning in 1969," said board President Mark Kujawski, using the theater term for a company's shutdown. "It's an important thing to keep alive. We're trying to attract people; we know they're out there somewhere."

The hope of the Southborough Players is to drum up enough behind-the-scenes help in the form of new producers, stage and box office managers and people to run for the board of directors so the curtain can rise this fall on a new community-theater production.

The Players will hold an open house June 13 from 7 to 10 p.m. at the Community House. The goal is to showcase past productions and rally people to get involved, said Kujawski.

In the past, the Players have staged "Seussical," "The King and I," Rogers and Hammerstein's "Cinderella" and "The Crucible." Kujawski hopes that if there is enough support for a fall production, open house attendees could add their input on what show they would like to see next.

"Let's see if there's enough enthusiasm," Kujawski said. "We can't do it unless people are willing to commit."

Kujawski and board members Steve Bonner, Steve Sullivan, Rick Saunders and Ivan Slovin are hoping to add several more to their ranks. Kujawski said he has produced seven of the last eight shows and is hoping that a new producing talent will emerge.

Ticket sales and arts grants fund the Players. While the group is not in dire straits when it comes to funding, it lacks a rich number of people willing to commit their time to the cause.

Being on the board means attending one meeting a month, while a producer can spend anywhere from five to seven hours a week working on a show. Those interested in helping do not need to have a theater background or experience, Kujawski said.

Kujawski said the local theater ecosystem includes families, middle and high school students and members of the local theater circuit. He started with the Players in 2001, coming on board as an extra, then becoming a producer and board member.

People new to theater should not be intimidated to come out, said Kujawski.

"If I can learn the process, you can," he said. "We will teach people what they need to know."

In order to continue putting on high-quality shows, Kujawski said new members are necessary to help steer the organization.

"We want to get people to understand that we're serious and can't continue in our present form," he said. "Community theater at its essence is a great process."

(Abby Jordan can be reached at 508-490-7461 or ajordan@cnc.com.)

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